Illuminati (Marvel)
The Illuminati are a group that features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
History
The Illuminati met at the Sanctum Sanctorum to discuss their absentee sixth member Tony Stark after he had dropped from the public eye when he became penniless as his company was taken over by Obadiah Stane. Some of the members debated helping Stark but Black Bolt and Namor stated it would be an insult to Tony’s pride if he was aided and that he needed to come out of his problems by himself. (Iron Man: Legacy v1 #6) Around this time, Stark attempted to rebuild and moved briefly to Los Angeles where his activities drew the attention of the secret criminal society known as the Pride. After learning of them and their Gibborim masters, Stark contacted Doctor Strange who understood the nature of the threat they faced and called a gathering of an Illuminati to deal with the danger. Together, they attacked the Pride and managed to defeat them. They were arrested but their connections allowed the entire incident being forgotten thus resulting in them being freed once again where they continued to plot in the shadows. (Iron Man: Legacy v1 #11)
It gathered to meet to discuss with Iron Man about his formation of the New Avengers with Tony stating that this team was needed to replace the disbanded Avengers. He also consulted them about the superhero known as the Sentry following the supervillain breakout at the Raft. (New Avengers v1 #7) They discussed the induction of the Sentry into the ranks of the New Avengers with them telling Stark to notify them if there was any danger from Reynolds. In addition, they had a brief discussion about strange operations being conducted by S.H.I.E.L.D. (New Avengers v1 #10)
Though disbanded, Tony Stark called upon the members of the Illuminati sometime after the Dark Reign when he learnt of the Infinity Gems being recovered by a mysterious individual who had badly wounded the Red Hulk. This same figure had claimed the Reality Gem and managed to take the Power Gem from Reed Richards hidden vault in the Baxter Building. During the gathering, Lockjaw transported Medusa in the place of her husband who had perished where together the reformed Illuminati investigated the site of old Attilan to find clues on the identity of the perpetrator. Stark was tracked by Steve Rogers who confronted the gathering of the Illuminati about their activities. (Avengers v4 #8) This exposed the existence of the group to the rest of the Avengers with Commander Rogers being angry at Stark for his secrets and deception. (Avengers v4 #9) Despite this, the heroes worked together in stopping the Hood from attaining the full power of the gems with Iron Man using their power to send Robbin's back to prison. Afterwards, the Illuminati secretly re-convened with Captain America now among their number and did so in secret to keep the Infinity Stones hidden with them being divided amongst themselves for safekeeping. (Avengers v4 #12)
During the Avengers versus X-Men conflict, Captain America called a meeting of the Illuminati in the hope that Namor would answer the summons and help bring about an end to hostilities. He appeared after the other members of the group left but refused to stand down in the battle. (New Avengers v2 #29)
After an attack at Wakanda, the Black Panther came to learn of a crisis known as the Incursions whereby alternate Earth's were crashing into one another forcing the inhabitants to destroy the counterpart world or face the destruction of their universe. He had managed to capture a figure known as the Black Swan and called forth a meeting of leading heroes to reform the Illuminati over the handling of this new threat. (New Avengers v3 #2)
Overview
Members of the Illuminati tended to each represent a unique interest in humanity and were obligated to share this information with one another. Their goal was to help each other and the world whenever they could do so. The existence of the group was initially a deeply held secret and even kept hidden from those closest to its members in an effort to protect their loved ones. (Avengers v4 #9)
Members
- Iron Man :
- Mr. Fantastic :
- Charles Xavier :
- Dr. Strange :
- Namor :
- Black Bolt :
- Captain America :
- Black Panther :
- Beast :
- Hulk :
- Amadeus Cho :
- Captain Britain :
- Hank Pym :
Notes
- The Illuminati were created by Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven where they made their first appearance in New Avengers v1 #7 (July, 2005).
Alternate Versions
- In What If? Age of Ultron v1 #4 (2014), an alternate timeline showed a world where Captain America died. This led to the Illuminati turning Frank Castle into the new modern age Captain America with an improved super-soldier created by Reed Richards. Afterwards, Tony Stark implemented the Captain Americorps initiative placing a Captain America in each state in America.
In other media
Television
Films
Video games
- In Marvel: Contest of Champions, the Illuminati were referenced in dialogue in the setting of the mobile video game.
Appearances
- New Avengers v1:
- Iron Man: Legacy v1:
- Avengers v4:
- New Avengers v2:
- New Avengers v3:
External Links
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